VentureCatalyst Grants

VentureCatalyst Grants Participants in the MSU VentureCatalyst™ program have access to up to $7,500 in grant funding through the Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach. These funds may be used to advance a technology or innovation-based company across three rounds of funding. You must be accepted into VentureCatalyst prior to applying. Click Here. Stage 1 (Start)Stage 2 (Search)Stage 3 (Plan)Stage 1 (Start) 0 Award Amount Apply Online Download Stage 1 Guide Logistics: Pitch Length: 5-min Q&A: 5-min Format: Adobe PDF or MS PowerPoint only Medium: USB drive only Review Dates: Jan 26th, 2024 12:00pm (101 McCool Hall) (Apply by 1/19 @ 11:59pm) Feb 23rd, 2024 12:00pm (101 McCool Hall) (Apply by 2/16 @ 11:59pm) Mar 22nd, 2024 12:00pm (101 McCool Hall) (Apply by 3/17 @ 11:59pm) Apr 19th, 2024 12:00pm (101 McCool Hall) (Apply by 4/15 @ 11:59pm) Stage I Spark Grants are $500 fixed awards to help new entrepreneurs identify their customers and value proposition and develop a basic proof of concept or mock-up. Funded by alumni donors, the CEO annually awards up to 40 teams, reviewed on a rolling basis by the Peer Review Entrepreneurship Panel (PREP). Basis for Award Applicants will be assessed based upon on the following criteria: Does the [...]

MBA TechVenture Fellowship

Every year dozens of inventions happen all over MSU’s campus, and a portion of those will have significant commercial potential. While some are licensed to big companies, many are ripe for the right entrepreneur to turn into a great startup company. In many cases, the support infrastructure is there to support, but there is no one to take the idea and build the startup around it. The MBA TechVenture Fellowship provides an assistantship to MBA students with a technical background to explore launching a startup based on university intellectual property. The program is a partnership between the E-Center, MBA Program, and Office of Technology Management.

Global Game Changers 2024

Join your fellow bulldogs from eight disciplines on a two-week study abroad experience across Italy!

New Business Quick Start

Business Quick Start Guide This quick start guide is designed to help you through the first steps of forming a new company in the State of Mississippi. Please ask for assistance with any stage as needed. Please note — the content below is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. 1. Choosing a Company Name Factors to Consider When Naming Your Business Many businesses start out as freelancers, solo operations, or partnerships. In these cases, it’s easy to fall back on your own name as your business name. While there’s nothing wrong with this, it does make it tougher to present a professional image and build brand awareness. How will your name look? – On the web, as part of a logo, on social media. What connotations does it evoke? – Is your name too corporate or not corporate enough? Does it reflect your business culture? Does it appeal to your market? Is it unique? – Pick a name that hasn’t been claimed by others, online or offline. A quick web search and domain name search (more below) [...]